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Queensland Reds move forward with new captains as James O'Connor relinquishes role

(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

James O’Connor’s flirtation with captaincy is over after the Queensland Reds’ title-winning playmaker opted against returning to the role this year.

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Instead livewire half Tate McDermott has been promoted to partner Liam Wright as co-captain for the new Super Rugby Pacific season beginning next month.

Wright’s long-term ankle injury on the eve of last season saw O’Connor parachuted into the captaincy and flourish, the former rugby bad boy relishing the task as the Reds swept to the domestic title.

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With England due to tour and the 2023 World Cup on the horizon, O’Connor opted to shed those extra duties though, the No.10 keen to re-establish himself on the international stage after Quade Cooper’s fine Test resurgence while he was injured last season.

O’Connor will remain a vital cog in the Reds’ strategy room but has relinquished the official leadership duties to his emerging halves partner, who at 23 has played 15 Tests and shown his potential to be a long-term Wallaby.

“It’s important to recognise the job James O’Connor did last year,” Reds coach Brad Thorn said.

“He was both the captain and one of our on-field drivers which was a big commitment and responsibility.

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“There are more leaders within our team, plus players with emerging leadership qualities too which is great for the future growth of our program.”

Captaincy could strengthen McDermott’s case for a starting role at Test level, the potent ball-runner jostling for game-time with NSW Waratahs leader Jake Gordon and Brumbies and Wallabies first-choice No.9 Nic White.

“To be etched into the fabric of Queensland Rugby, in company with many former great captains of the game, is something my family and I will forever treasure,” said McDermott.

“Upon reflection of my initial chat with Thorny, our job now turns to unleashing the untapped potential within our side,.

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“We are fortunate to have a core group of experienced players around us who have tremendous skin in the game, and whom we will rely upon heavily to continue with the team-first approach we took into our 2021 Super Rugby AU title-winning campaign.”

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J
JW 48 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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